Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “parametric modeling”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 307 records · Page 17

Numerical Investigation of a Central Fuel Property Hypothesis Under Boosted Spark-Ignition Conditions

In the present work, a central fuel property hypothesis (CFPH), which states that fuel properties are sufficient to provide an indication of a fuel’s performance irrespective of its chemical composition, was numerically investigated. In particular, the objective of the study was to determine whether Research Octane Number (RON) and Motor Octane Number (MON), as fuel properties, are sufficient to describe a fuel’s knock-limited performance under boosted spark-ignition (SI) conditions within the framework of CFPH. To this end, four TPRF-bioblendstock surrogates having different compositions but matched RON (=98) and MON (=90), were first generated using a non-linear regression model based on artificial neural network (ANN). Additionally, three unconventional bioblendstocks were included in the analysis: di-isobutylene (DIB), isobutanol, and Anisole. Skeletal reaction mechanisms were generated for the TPRF-DIB, TPRF-isobutanol, and TPRF-anisole blends from a detailed kinetic mechanism. Thereafter, numerical simulations were performed for the fuel surrogates using the skeletal mechanisms and a virtual cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine model, under a representative boosted operating condition. In the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, the G-equation approach was employed to track the turbulent flame front and the well-stirred reactor model combined with the multi-zone binning strategy was used to capture auto-ignition in the end-gas. In addition, laminar flame speed (LFS) was tabulated for each blend as a function of pressure, temperature, and equivalence ratio a priori, and the lookup tables were used to prescribe laminar flame speed as an input to the G-equation model. Parametric spark timing sweeps were performed for each fuel blend to determine the corresponding knock-limited spark advance (KLSA) and 50% burn point (CA50) at the respective KLSA timing. It was observed that despite same RON, MON, and engine operating conditions, the TPRF-anisole blend exhibited markedly different knock-limited performance from the other three blends. This deviation from the octane index (OI) expectation was shown to be caused by differences in laminar flame speed. However, it was found that relatively large fuel-specific differences in LFS (>20%) would have to be present to cause any appreciable deviation from the OI framework. Otherwise, RON and MON would still be robust enough to predict a fuel’s knock-limited performance.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Framework for Optimal Placement of Rooftop Photovoltaic: Maximizing Solar Production and Operational Cost Savings in Residential Communities

Optimizing the placement of photovoltaic (PV) panels on residential buildings has the potential to significantly increase energy efficiency benefits to both homeowners and communities. Strategic PV placement can lower electricity costs by reducing the electricity fed from the grid during on-peak hours, while maintaining PV panel efficiency in terms of the amount of solar radiation received. In this article, we present a framework that identifies the ideal location of PV panels on residential rooftops. Our framework combines energy and environmental simulation, parametric modeling, and optimization to inform PV placement as it relates to and affects the entire community (in terms of both energy use and financial cost), as well as individual buildings. Ensuring that our framework accounts for shading from nearby buildings, different utility rate structures, and different buildings’ energy demand profiles means that existing communities and future housing developments can be optimized for energy savings and PV efficiency. The framework comprises two workflows, each contributing to optimal PV placement with a unique target: (a) maximizing PV panel efficiency (i.e., solar generation) and (b) minimizing operational energy cost considering utility rate structures for operational energy. We apply our framework to a residential community in Fort Collins, Colorado, to demonstrate the optimal PV placement, considering the two workflow targets. Here, we present our results and illustrate the effect of PV location and orientation on solar energy production efficiency and operational energy cost.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Numerical Investigation of a Central Fuel Property Hypothesis under Boosted Spark-ignition Conditions

In the present work, a central fuel property hypothesis (CFPH), which states that fuel properties are sufficient to provide an indication of a fuel's performance irrespective of its chemical composition, was numerically investigated In particular, the objective of the study was to determine whether Research Octane Number (RON) and Motor Octane Number (MON), as fuel properties, are sufficient to describe a fuel's knock-limited performance under boosted spark-ignition (SI) conditions within the framework of CFPH. To this end, four TPRF-bioblendstock surrogates having different compositions but matched RON (= 98) and MON (= 90), were first generated using a non-linear regression model based on artificial neural network (ANN). Three unconventional bioblendstocks were included in the analysis: Di-isobutylene (DIB), Isobutanol and Anisole. Skeletal reaction mechanisms were generated for the TPRF-DIB, TPRF-isobutanol and TPRF-anisole blends from a detailed kinetic mechanism. Thereafter, numerical simulations were performed for the fuel surrogates using the skeletal mechanisms and a virtual cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine model, under a representative boosted operating condition. In the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, the G-equation approach was employed to track the turbulent flame front and the well-stirred reactor model combined with multi-zone binning strategy was used to capture auto-ignition in the end-gas. In addition, laminar flame speed was tabulated for each blend as a function of pressure, temperature and equivalence ratio a priori, and the lookup tables were used to prescribe laminar flame speed as an input to the G-equation model. Parametric spark timing sweeps were performed for each fuel blend to determine the corresponding knock-limited spark advance (KLSA) and 50% burn point (CA50) at the respective KLSA timing. It was observed that despite same RON, MON and engine operating conditions, the TPRF-Anisole blend exhibited markedly different knock-limited performance from the other three blends. This deviation from the octane index (DI) expectation was shown to be caused by differences in laminar flame speed (LFS). However; it was found that relatively large fuel-specific differences in LFS (> 20%) would have to be present to cause any appreciable deviation from the 01 framework. Otherwise, RON and MON would still be robust enough to predict a fuel's knock-limited performance.

Pal, Pinaki↗

Evaluation of Hypotheses for the Fate of Historical Discharges from Hanford Site BC Cribs and Trenches

A preliminary review of declassified reports and historical documents from the 1950s and 1960s indicated they may contain valuable information regarding potential impacts to groundwater from liquid waste discharged to the 216-BC Cribs and Trenches during the late 1950s. Transport of contaminants in the vadose zone beneath the BC Cribs area is simulated by a vadose zone model developed for the Composite Analysis (DOE/RL-2019-52, Composite Analysis for Low-Level Waste Disposal in the Hanford Site Central Plateau ). Results from this model indicate there has been no substantial breakthrough of contaminants (particularly technetium-99) to groundwater from the vadose zone up to the present day. However, there is uncertainty in the anisotropy and other model input parameters as well as acknowledged sparseness of sampling data for this area. In this study, historical documents and other information were reviewed to evaluate the possibility that contaminant breakthrough to groundwater occurred during or shortly after operation of the BC Cribs sites, and whether refinements of the vadose zone model parametrization should be considered.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Cast and Wrought CF8C-Plus Relevant to ASME Code Case Qualification

The mechanical behavior of a cast form of an advanced austenitic stainless steel, CF8C-Plus, is compared with that of its wrought equivalent in terms of both tensile and creep-rupture properties and estimated allowable stress values for pressurized service at temperatures up to about 850°C. A traditional Larson-Miller parametric model is used to analyze the creep-rupture data and to predict long-term lifetimes for comparison of the two alloy types. The cast CF8C-Plus exhibited lower yield and tensile strengths, but higher creep strength compared to its wrought counterpart. Two welding methods, shielded-metal-arc welding (SMAW) and gas-metal-arc welding, met the weld qualification acceptance criteria in ASME BPVC Section IX for the cast CF8C-Plus. However, for the wrought CF8C-Plus, while SMAW and gas-tungsten-arc welding passed the tensile acceptance criteria, they failed the side bend tests due to lack of fusion or weld metal discontinuities.

Chen, Xiang↗

Comparison of Numerical Methods for Modeling the Wave Field Effects Generated by Individual Wave Energy Converters and Multiple Converter Wave Farms

This numerical study compares the wave field generated by the spectral wave action balance code, SNL-SWAN, to the linear-wave boundary-element method (BEM) code, WAMIT. The objective of this study is to assess the performance of SNL-SWAN for modeling wave field effects produced by individual wave energy converters (WECs) and wave farms comprising multiple WECs by comparing results from SNL-SWAN with those produced by the BEM code WAMIT. BEM codes better model the physics of wave-body interactions and thus simulate a more accurate near-field wave field than spectral codes. In SNL-SWAN, the wave field’s energy extraction is modeled parametrically based on the WEC’s power curve. The comparison between SNL-SWAN and WAMIT is made over a range of incident wave conditions, including short-, medium-, and long-wavelength waves with various amounts of directional spreading, and for three WEC archetypes: a point absorber (PA), a pitching flap (PF) terminator, and a hinged raft (HR) attenuator. Individual WECs and wave farms of five WECs in various configuration were studied with qualitative comparisons made of wave height and spectra at specific locations, and quantitative comparisons of the wave fields over circular arcs around the WECs as a function of radial distance. Results from this numerical study demonstrate that in the near-field, the difference between SNL-SWAN and WAMIT is relatively large (between 20% and 50%), but in the far-field from the array the differences are minimal (between 1% and 5%). The resultant wave field generated by the two different numerical approaches is highly dependent on parameters such as: directional wave spreading, wave reflection or scattering, and the WEC’s power curve.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Excalibur: A Nonparametric, Hierarchical Wavelength Calibration Method for a Precision Spectrograph

Excalibur is a nonparametric, hierarchical framework for precision wavelength calibration of spectrographs. It is designed with the needs of extreme-precision radial-velocity (EPRV) instruments in mind, which require calibration or stabilization to better than 10{sup −4} pixels. Instruments vary along only a few dominant degrees of freedom, especially EPRV instruments that feature highly stabilized optical systems and detectors. Excalibur takes advantage of this property by using all calibration data to construct a low-dimensional representation of all accessible calibration states for an instrument. Excalibur also takes advantage of laser-frequency combs or etalons, which generate a dense set of stable calibration points. This density permits the use of a nonparametric wavelength solution that can adapt to any instrument or detector oddities better than parametric models, such as a polynomial. We demonstrate the success of this method with data from the Extreme Precision Spectrograph (EXPRES), which uses a laser-frequency comb. When wavelengths are assigned to laser comb lines using excalibur, the rms of the residuals is about one-fifth that of wavelengths assigned using polynomial fits to individual exposures. Radial-velocity measurements of HD 34411 show a reduction in rms scatter over a 10 month time baseline from 1.17 to 1.05 m s{sup −1}.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

General Relativistic Neutrino-driven Turbulence in One-dimensional Core-collapse Supernovae

Abstract Convection and turbulence in core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are inherently three-dimensional (3D) in nature. However, 3D simulations of CCSNe are computationally demanding. Thus, it is valuable to modify simulations in spherical symmetry to incorporate 3D effects using some parametric model. In this paper, we report on the formulation and implementation of general relativistic neutrino-driven turbulent convection in the spherically symmetric core-collapse supernova code GR1D . This is based upon the recently proposed method of Simulated Turbulence in Reduced Dimensionality (STIR) in Newtonian simulations from Couch et al. (2020). When the parameters of this model are calibrated to 3D simulations, we find that our general relativistic formulation of STIR requires larger turbulent eddies to achieve a shock evolution similar to the original STIR model. We also find that general relativity may alter the correspondence between progenitor mass and successful versus failed explosions.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗

Space shuttle: Aerodynamic characteristics of cone-cylinder-flare-fin configurations at Mach numbers of 1.96, 2.74, and 4.96 and angles of attack from 50 to 90 degrees

A 0.00227-scale parametric model of an LMSC/MSFC water recoverable booster was tested in the MSFC 14 x 14-inch trisonic wind tunnel. The purpose of the test was to obtain high angle of attack force and static stability data which could be used by MSFC in preliminary design and aerodynamic trade studies. These data were obtained using six-component internal strain gauge balances. One hundred forty-four different geometrical combinations were possible as all model parts were interchangeable (three nose cones, three cylinder lengths, four flare sections and three sets of fins, plus a no-fin case in combination with the other components). However, due to tunnel occupancy limitations, only the most representative combinations were tested. All configurations investigated were tested at Mach 1.96, 2.74 and 4.96 with data obtained at angles of attack from 50 degrees to 90 degrees and at angles of sideslip from -10 degrees to +10 degrees (at an angle of attack of 60 degrees).

Bradley, D.↗

ERTS orbit maintenance

Error drift in the ERTS orbit maintenance problem is determined from the actual ground trace errors that the spacecraft experienced over the first 3 1/2 repeat cycles. Actual data are fitted to a parametric model of ground trace error by a least squares method, and initial offsets to these key parameters as well as their rates of change are extrapolated forward analytically to obtain the future ground trace drift in orbital estimates.

Fuchs, A. J.↗

Aerodynamic investigations on a 0.004 scale model MCR 0074 baseline space shuttle launch vehicle at Mach numbers between 0.6 and 4.96

A test of a 0.004-scale MCR 0074 Baseline Launch Configuration Space Shuttle model was conducted in the NASA-MSFC 14 x 14-inch Trisonic Wind Tunnel (MSFC TWT 566). The objective of the test was to determine the effects of model parametric variations on aerodynamic static stability characteristics over a Mach number range from 0.6 to 4.96. Angles-of-attack from minus 10 deg to plus 10 deg at 0 deg sideslip and angles-of-sideslip from minus 10 deg to plus 10 deg at minus 5 deg, 0 deg, and plus 5 deg angle-of-attack were investigated. The basic configuration investigated was the integrated vehicle consisting of the orbiter, and external tank, and two solid rocket boosters. It was designated 03T9S3.

Ramsey, P.↗

Analytical study of rigidized fibrous materials

Insulation systems composed of micrometer-sized fibers bonded together with small amounts of binder have been developed for aerospace applications. The materials have a very high volid content and low density and can be characterized as a rigidized network of fibers randomly oriented in three-dimensional space. Analytical models suitable for the evaluation of the mechanical behavior of rigidized fibrous materials have been developed. The models treat the material as a space frame structure and includes the effects of joint fixity and fiber curvature. The geometrical and material property variabilities are represented by a number of trusses oriented in five planes. Each truss may have different material and geometric properties. Techniques have been developed to describe the continuous material property and geometry functions as a series of descrete quantities that can be used to describe each of the trusses in the model. Parametric studies were performed to show the influence of material variables on the mechanical behavior of the material. Results of calculations show good agreement with measured properties.

Rosen, B. W.↗

The total assessment profile, volume 2

Appendices are presented which include discussions of interest formulas, factors in regionalization, parametric modeling of discounted benefit-sacrifice streams, engineering economic calculations, and product innovation. For Volume 1, see .

Leininger, G.↗

Flood hazard studies in Central Texas using orbital and suborbital remote sensing machinery

Central Texas is subject to infrequent, unusually intense rainstorms which cause extremely rapid runoff from drainage basins developed on the deeply dissected limestone and marl bedrock of the Edwards Plateau. One approach to flood hazard evaluation in this area is a parametric model relating flood hydrograph characteristics to quantitative geomorphic properties of the drainage basins. The preliminary model uses multiple regression techniques to predict potential peak flood discharge from basin magnitude, drainage density, and ruggedness number. After mapping small catchment networks from remote sensing imagery, input data for the model are generated by network digitization and analysis by a computer assisted routine of watershed analysis. The study evaluated the network resolution capabilities of the following data formats: (1) large-scale (1:24,000) topographic maps, employing Strahler's "method of v's," (2) standard low altitude black and white aerial photography (1:13,000 and 1:20,000 scales), (3) NASA - generated aerial infrared photography at scales ranging from 1:48,000 to 1:123,000, and (4) Skylab Earth Resources Experiment Package S-190A and S-190B sensors (1:750,000 and 1:500,000 respectively).

Baker, V. R.↗

Scaled equation of state parameters for gases in the critical region

In the light of recent theoretical developments, the paper presents an accurate characterization of anomalous thermodynamic behavior of xenon, helium 4, helium 3, carbon dioxide, steam and oxygen in the critical region. This behavior is associated with long range fluctuations in the system and the physical properties depend primarily on a single variable, namely, the correlation length. A description of the thermodynamic behavior of fluids in terms of scaling laws is formulated, and the two successfully used scaled equations of state (NBS equation and Linear Model parametric equation) are compared. Methods for fitting both equations to experimental equation of state data are developed and formulated, and the optimum fit for each of the two scaled equations of the above gases are presented and the results are compared. By extending the experimental data for the above one-component fluids to partially miscible binary liquids, superfluid liquid helium, ferromagnets and solids exhibiting order-disorder transitions, the principle of universality is concluded. Finally by using this principle, the critical regions for nine additional fluids are described.

Sengers, J. M. H. L.↗

Driver steering dynamics measured in car simulator under a range of visibility and roadmaking conditions

A simulation experiment was conducted to determine the effect of reduced visibility on driver lateral (steering) control. The simulator included a real car cab and a single lane road image projected on a screen six feet in front of the driver. Simulated equations of motion controlled apparent car lane position in response to driver steering actions, wind gusts, and road curvature. Six drivers experienced a range of visibility conditions at various speeds with assorted roadmaking configurations (mark and gap lengths). Driver describing functions were measured and detailed parametric model fits were determined. A pursuit model employing a road curvature feedforward was very effective in explaining driver behavior in following randomly curving roads. Sampled-data concepts were also effective in explaining the combined effects of reduced visibility and intermittent road markings on the driver's dynamic time delay. The results indicate the relative importance of various perceptual variables as the visual input to the driver's steering control process is changed.

Allen, R. W.↗